Janet Karvonen
Encyclopedia
Janet Karvonen was born and raised in New York Mills, Minnesota
where she became a pioneer for girls basketball
in Minnesota. Karvonen scored over 3,000 points in her high school career and led New York Mills state championships in 1977, 1978, and 1979 and a third place finish in 1980. Karvonen earned a scholarship to play at Old Dominion University
, but finished her college career at Louisiana Tech.
, where she played for two years with 6'8 Anne Donovan
. In 1982, she transferred to Louisiana Tech University
and sat out the 1982-83 season. She concluded her college career by playing two years for Leon Barmore
and the Lady Techsters. Janet made final four appearances with both schools.
with her husband, Dr. Alan Montgomery, and four children. She is currently in her 22nd year of operating a summer basketball camp for girls all over the Twin Cities metro area. Her camp, for girls ages 6–18, stresses correct basketball fundamentals, but also focuses on teaching life skills. Karvonen often works for the local television station as an analyst during the high school state basketball tournament.
New York Mills, Minnesota
New York Mills is a city in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,199 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Transportation:U.S...
where she became a pioneer for girls basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
in Minnesota. Karvonen scored over 3,000 points in her high school career and led New York Mills state championships in 1977, 1978, and 1979 and a third place finish in 1980. Karvonen earned a scholarship to play at Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, but finished her college career at Louisiana Tech.
High school career
Karvonen guided her high school of New York Mills to three consecutive state championships from 1977-1979. She scored 3,129 points in her high school career, a state record that stood until 1997. Janet is best known for her picture perfect jump-shot. She also held many State Tournament records that have since been broken.College career
Karvonen started her collegiate career Old Dominion UniversityOld Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, where she played for two years with 6'8 Anne Donovan
Anne Donovan
Anne Donovan is an American retired basketball player and the current head coach of the women's basketball team at Seton Hall University. She was formerly an assistant coach, then interim head coach of the New York Liberty of the WNBA...
. In 1982, she transferred to Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University, often referred to as Louisiana Tech, LA Tech, or Tech, is a coeducational public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech is designated as a Tier 1 school in the national universities category by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report college rankings...
and sat out the 1982-83 season. She concluded her college career by playing two years for Leon Barmore
Leon Barmore
Leon Barmore is a college women's basketball coach. He coached at Louisiana Tech University from 1982 to 2002, serving the first three years as co-head coach with Sonja Hogg, who had begun the program in 1974 at the invitation of university president F. Jay Taylor...
and the Lady Techsters. Janet made final four appearances with both schools.
Awards
Karvonen was first-team Parade All-America in 1980. She was also inducted into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, the Minnesota High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, and the Minnesota Coaches' Hall of Fame in 2006.Present day
Today, Karvonen lives in North Oaks, MinnesotaNorth Oaks, Minnesota
North Oaks is a suburb north of Saint Paul in Ramsey County in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 4,469 at the 2010 census.Formerly a gated community that now posts private access signage, all land is owned by homeowners with the North Oaks Home Owners Association maintaining all...
with her husband, Dr. Alan Montgomery, and four children. She is currently in her 22nd year of operating a summer basketball camp for girls all over the Twin Cities metro area. Her camp, for girls ages 6–18, stresses correct basketball fundamentals, but also focuses on teaching life skills. Karvonen often works for the local television station as an analyst during the high school state basketball tournament.